CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page i CONNECT Regional Climate Action Plan Local Actions & Strategies to Reduce CONNECT Members’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions [Approved by] [Date Approved] Reference to [Resolution] Reference to [Further Information] Produced by CONNECT Infrastructure & Utilities Coordination Working Group, University of Pittsburgh
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CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page i
CONNECT Regional
Climate Action Plan
Local Actions & Strategies to Reduce CONNECT Members’ Greenhouse Gas Emissions
[Approved by]
[Date Approved]
Reference to [Resolution]
Reference to [Further Information]
Produced by CONNECT Infrastructure & Utilities Coordination Working Group, University of Pittsburgh
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page ii
Credits and Acknowledgments
This Plan was made possible through the consistent support of CONNECT’s Infrastructure and Utilities Coordination Working Group, its Climate Action Planning Subcommittee, and all the members, partners, and other stakeholders who
provided valuable expertise, perspective, and feedback through these and other forums. Acknowledgements will be updated as the Plan develops. In no particular order, special thanks to all of those listed below so far.
Regional Plan Contributors • Eric Raabe – Congress of
Neighboring Communities(CONNECT)
• Lydia Morin – Congress ofNeighboring Communities(CONNECT)
University of Pittsburgh • Dr. Aurora Sharrard - Pitt
Sustainability• Sam Ford – Pitt
Sustainability• Dr. George Dougherty Jr. –
GSPIA• Dr. Michael Blackhurst –
UCSUR• Bob Gradeck – WPRDC• Dr. LuAnn Brink – ACHD
Utilities & Data Providers • Duquesne Light Co. – Sara
Walker• People’s Gas• First Energy• Columbia Gas• Waste Management• City of Pittsburgh DPW• SPC - Chuck Imbrogno• GIS Mapping – Grace
Gartman
Local Government Officials and Staff • Patricia DeMarco – Forest Hills• Mary Ellen Ramage – Etna• Talia Obrien – Etna ECO• Cindy Bahn – Bellevue• Brittany Reno – Sharpsburg• Andrew Flynn – Mt. Lebanon• Heather Wechter – Mt. Lebanon• Ian McMeans – Mt. Lebanon• Deneen Underwood – Carnegie• Steve Beuter – Carnegie• Ben Estell – Dormont• Mark Sampogna – Green Tree• John Novak – Green Tree• Mandy Steele – Fox Chapel• Katie Malsch – Swissvale• Shawn Alfonso Wells - Swissvale• Tim McLaughlin - Aspinwall• John Stephen - Aspinwall• Grant Ervin – Pittsburgh CRO• Sarah Yeager - Pittsburgh• Herschel Merenstein - Pittsburgh• Melany Arriola – Pittsburgh• Joy Smallwood – Allegheny County• Darla Cravotta – Allegheny County
External Agencies and Partners • Alyson Fearon – ALT• Christopher Beichner - ALT• Jim Price – Sustainable Pgh• Joylette Portlock – Sustainable Pgh• Allison Walker – Sustainable Pgh• Scott Wolovich – New Sun Rising• Jason Beery – UrbanKind, EJGP• Jeanne Clark -ALCOSAN• Megan Guy – Pitt Water Collab.• Dr. Dan Bain – Pitt Water Collab.• Jennifer Slagle – Gateway Engineers• Marcos Bernal - PaOneCall• Kinsey Miller - TreePittsburgh• Talor Musil – WHE• Chris Sandvig – Mobilify• Ernie Hogan – PCRG• Chris Rosselot – PCRG• Port Authority - Breen Masciotra• Alyssa Lyon - GBA• Chris Cieslak - GBA• Annie Quinn- 3RWW• Mt Lebanon ESB• Erin Kepple-Adams - SPC Water Resource Center• Jennifer Lasser - SPC Water Resource Center
The ICLEI Climate Action Plan template, a basis for the current report, was made possible through a grant agreement between ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the PA Department of Environmental Protection, which was funded by the US Department of Energy State Energy Program. The original template was published in April 2018, edited by the PA Department of Environmental Protection in December 2019, and further edited by the Congress of Neighboring Communities in 2020-2021. The icons are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported from Smashing Magazine.
Action Items for Members & Partners ......................................................................................................................... 3
Anticipated Climate Impacts to CONNECT .................................................................................................................47
Water & Stormwater........................................................................................................................................................ 48
Air Quality & Public Health ............................................................................................................................................ 50
Vulnerability Resources for Municipalities ............................................................................................................... 52
1. HELP US NARROW DOWN WHAT YOU WANT US TO WORK ON FIRST FOR OUR MEMBERS
- We want to evaluate the “CONNECT Opportunity” actions found in this Plan based on emissions reduction potential, potential to increase resilience, cost/feasibility, and other criteria. Start exploring actions here.
2. ATTEND CONNECT’S I&U, CAP SUBCOMMITTEE, OR OTHER STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS - To lend your perspective as we continue to develop this Plan and advance our shared sustainability goals in
the region. Meetings links posted here.
3. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY IMPLEMENTED ANY ACTIONS FOUND IN THIS PLAN SINCE 2018
- Please let us know what you did to make your community more sustainable, so that we can measure progress towards CONNECT’s goals and highlight your successes! [email protected]
To see the following in this document, click on the link:
The purpose of this plan - Go to Executive Summary
CONNECT’s goals moving forward - Go to CONNECT’s Climate Goals
Your climate vulnerabilities - Go to Vulnerability Assessment
Opportunities and how you can take action - Go to Taking Action by 2030
How CONNECT plans to support you - See CONNECT Support Actions
CONNECT’s impact on climate change - See CONNECT’s 2018 GHG Inventory
How your community impacts the climate - See an Example Community Sheet and reach out to [email protected] for
your own copy.
Your community’s feedback on climate change - See Survey Results
While CONNECT cannot by itself reduce emissions, member government policies and practices can
dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions from a range of sources and help prepare the region for
the anticipated impacts of climate change. CONNECT will assist municipalities, residents, and businesses
in their endeavors to reduce emissions through programs explained in this Plan. By working together,
CONNECT members can not only do their part toward achieving a stable climate - but we can also reap
the benefits of healthier air, lower costs for utilities and services, improved transportation and
accessibility, a more vibrant local economy, and the many other positive outcomes of reducing our
Official CONNECT Region GHG Emissions Inventory The following figure breaks down the first region-wide emissions inventory for CONNECT. Note that emissions from
each municipality are embedded within the region-wide totals. Emissions from strictly local government operations
are also embedded within each sector. For example, emissions from government buildings are included in the
“Commercial” sector and emissions from municipal fleet vehicles are included in the “Transportation” sector.
Individual community emissions can be seen in the chart to the right.
2,975,810 tons CO2e
Figures: Total GHG inventory compiled using 2018 data requested from utilities, haulers, and other service providers that serve each CONNECT community. Emissions
output associated with the raw usage data for each community and sector was calculated using ICLEI’s ClearPath Tool. *Note that a comparison to the City of
Pittsburgh is using their most recent available inventory year, 2013. Additionally, some accounting methodologies may differ, affecting any comparison.
In 2018, CONNECT Members emitted:
Municipality
Total
Emissions
West Mifflin 581,303
Ross 284,348
Mt. Lebanon 265,607
Shaler 199,376
Collier 185,641
Wilkinsburg 116,108
Munhall 98,904
Jefferson Hills 85,499
Green Tree 85,361
Clairton 79,794
Brentwood 63,575
Bellevue 61,605
Castle Shannon 59,961
Carnegie 59,040
Dormont 58,717
Wilkins 58,511
Swissvale 58,486
Fox Chapel 56,428
Forest Hills 51,202
McKees Rocks 50,770
Homestead 46,939
West View 44,093
Crafton 43,417
Duquesne 41,398
West Homestead 35,432
Etna 31,433
Churchill 28,861
Millvale 28,588
Edgewood 28,216
Sharpsburg 25,037
Ingram 20,070
Aspinwall 19,386
Reserve 18,336
Baldwin Township 12,883
Heidelberg 9,042
Sector
Total Emissions
(tons CO2e)
Residential
Energy1,299,728
Commercial
Energy645,847
Industrial Energy 568,244
Transportation &
Mobile Sources314,443
Process &
Fugitive31,784
Solid Waste 72,996
Water &
Wastewater42,768
Mainly from energy use in the Residential, Commercial, and
Reduce energy use in our local governments & communities
20+
ACTIONS
40+
ACTIONS
20+
ACTIONS
Replace current energy sources with renewables
Bolster
resilience through land, water, & materials management
Motivate cleaner modes of transportation by residents & in our cities
Municipalities in CONNECT can click each yellow objective box in order to take you to the corresponding sector
where you can explore potential local climate actions that you can implement in your community.
Communities are encouraged to incorporate or modify goals, objectives, and actions from this resource into
their own climate plans so that our region may better coordinate on the climate issues that cross our borders.
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 17 of 76
Taking Action to 2030
In the following chapters, CONNECT’s goals and a series of
objectives with actions are explored for each emissions sector.
An “Objective” is an “end result”, or target, and an “Action” is a
means of realizing the objective. Noted on each objective is its
emission reduction potential, and on each action is its co-benefits
among other pertinent information. Links to resources are
provided within each action. All community sectors draw on the
potential actions of CONNECT, its partners, local government,
residents, and businesses to achieve 30% emissions reduction by
2030, and subsequent reductions to 2050. Local governments
should use and modify potential actions from these lists to
implement in their own communities or climate planning efforts.
Actions labeled as a “CONNECT Opportunity are considered climate actions that CONNECT may
be able to implement in the form of a CONNECT-wide project to reduce our emissions or are actions from
which members may find extra benefits when implementing together as a region.
Sectors covered will include:
Materials Management
Municipal, Commercial, &
Industrial Energy
Residential Energy
CONNECT Support Actions Water & Wastewater
Management
Land Use & Climate
Adaptation
Equity
Transportation & Mobile
Sources
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 18 of 76
CONNECT Support Actions
To achieve the goals and objectives set forth in this Plan, CONNECT must also pursue supporting actions that better enable its member
municipalities to overcome capacity, expertise, and funding gaps. In addition to launching a novel CONNECT-wide project that helps its
members reduce their emissions or increase their resilience, CONNECT must simultaneously collaborate with its membership and
partners, especially the City and the University of Pittsburgh, to implement the following supporting actions. Each were identified by
stakeholders throughout the planning process as foundational actions that, if implemented, would assist municipalities engage in climate
action.
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
CS-1A
Work with a University Capstone Team to create a local cost benefit analysis workbook of popular local actions for use by municipalities
- CS-1K
Assist in the development of a “Pittsburgh Policy Repository”, highlighting practical local examples and successes for reference by other CONNECT governments
Y
CS-1B
Recruit local student interns for PADEP’s LCAP Program to assist participating CONNECT municipalities
- CS-1L
Hold/convene alignment meetings between stakeholders with complimentary climate plans, to take advantage of synergy opportunities
-
CS-1C
Work with the University to create a continuous Internship/Fellowship/Volunteer based pipeline of student assistance on local government sustainability issues
- CS-1M
Seek a grant to fund CONNECT member use of the “Community Climate Solutions” app, a platform to engage individual households throughout the entire CONNECT region.
Receive a Governor’s Office Capstone Team to help implement a CAP action
- CS-1N
Create website/excel based tool for members to quickly select & download climate actions from CONNECT’s Regional Plan, for use in their planning efforts
-
CS-1E
Assist partners with the formation of municipal “green teams” to increase capacity in municipalities
- CS-1O Create a Local Climate Communication “Toolkit” for use by municipal members
-
CS-1F
Maintain access to ICLEI’s ClearPath software past Spring 2022, free for all member municipalities
- CS-1P
Utilize Priority Based Budgeting tools such as ResourceX in the CONNECT network, with a focus on budgeting for sustainability measures.
-
CS-1G
Convene conversations with utilities and service providers on behalf of members to collect data/secure easier data sharing agreements.
- CS-1Q
Partner with the University of Pittsburgh Institute of Politics Fiscal Policy & Governance Committee to develop policy guidance to County municipalities on how best to integrate sustainability into the existing budget structure.
-
CS-1H
Work with WPRDC to automatically collect, host, and manage community climate data for members
- CS-1R
Partner with a grassroots organization to lend support to member’s community engagement/outreach efforts
-
CS-1I
Collaborate with the University research community to improve GHG accounting and monitoring.
- CS-1S
Advocate and support member involvement and training in PA’s Climate Leadership Academy
-
CS-1J
Hire a community project manager to support I&U’s work in climate action planning, including managing a CONNECT-wide project to reduce emissions
- CS-1T
Develop an accountability matrix for members, partners, and staff to track responsibility across the region and account for progress on climate actions
22% and 19% of total emissions, together accounting
for over 40% of CONNECT’s total GHG emissions in
2018. Improving the efficiency of our commercial
building stock and reducing the energy intensity of
the local industrial sector will be critical to
achieving CONNECT’s greenhouse gas reduction
target. Unlike residential energy, CONNECT
community’s commercial and industrial emissions
are primarily from electricity consumption, rather
than natural gas use.
Although a smaller fraction of this sector, municipal
energy is especially important to acting on
community emissions as it is under full control of
the local government and has significant untapped
cost savings potential. Typical municipalities can
spend tens of thousands every year on fossil fuel
based energy for building and municipal operations,
with the highest energy use among public lighting,
police, public works, and recreation center
buildings, 4 yet most municipal energy use in
CONNECT is neither “tracked” nor benchmarked to
identify savings opportunities.5
Of CONNECT members interviewed, all reported that they only
receive energy consumption data(electricity usage/natural gas
usage) for their municipal operations through semi-annual utility
bills but would “be interested in receiving electricity/natural gas
usage data from their local government operations.” 92% of
member representatives indicated that they would like
assistance in receiving this data.6 Most commercial and industrial
businesses in CONNECT communities also likely have not overcome the barriers to tracking energy use, making
necessary efficiency retrofits, or switching to renewable energy. See emissions per capita by municipality below.
Most CONNECT communities currently do
not track their energy use to identify cost
savings, but they are interested…
Figures: The majority of CONNECT’s commercial and industrial emissions
are from electricity use. CONNECT communities are highly variable in
percentage of commercial emissions to total emissions(6-56%). Industrial
energy use emissions mostly belong to only a handful of CONNECT
communities. Municipal energy use data is embedded within the commercial
sector. See Appendix for Methodology.
2018 Commercial Emissions by Source
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 21 of 76
According to CONNECT residents, the most effective public actions
to assist local businesses and industry implement these types of
projects will involve partnering with other local governments to
offer energy services and providing information to the community
about funding/financing programs. When asking solely business
owners/employees, the most requested action was now improving
the energy efficiency of municipal-owned buildings – indicating
that when it comes to sustainability, local government should lead
by example.
This chapter focuses on opportunities to benchmark and retrofit
municipal, commercial, and industrial buildings to be more energy
efficient, and to replace those power sources with renewable
energy for deeper emissions reductions.
The following tables contain CONNECT’s objectives and potential actions for the municipal, commercial, or industrial sectors.
Objective Co-Benefits Reduction Potential
Goal 1: Reduce energy use in our local governments and communities
CB 1 – Increase the energy efficiency of municipal buildings through benchmarking, electrification, and energy efficiency measures
CB 2 - Increase the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings through education and increased access to energy efficiency measures
Goal 2: Replace current energy sources with renewables
CB 3 – Source electricity for municipal, commercial, and industrial buildings from renewable or less carbon-intensive power options
Figure: Note that this figure only shows emissions per capita and
is NOT reflective of either total emissions or share of total
emissions attributable to the commercial sector in a community.
See appendix for detailed total and share of emissions by
municipality. City of Pittsburgh value is 2013 per capita emissions
due to data availability.
2018 Commercial Emissions Per Capita
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 22 of 76
Objective CB 1 – Municipal Energy Efficiency
Increase the energy efficiency of municipal, commercial, and industrial buildings through access to electrification and energy efficiency measures.
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
CB-1A Inventory public buildings and energy use patterns to identify savings opportunities
Y CB-1H
CONNECT communities implement an Regional Pooled Municipal Energy Implementation Model to better enable energy and solar projects for municipal buildings and water/wastewater facilities
-
CB-1B
Use the free municipal/school PennTAP toolkit to estimate potential energy savings in local government or school buildings
- - CB-1I Implement a Building Energy Disclosure Ordinance for all buildings in the community
-
CB-1C
Join PADEP’s Shared Energy Manager’s Program to receive a free shared energy manager with CONNECT that assists in energy benchmarking, auditing, and renewable evaluation
- CB-1J
Participate in a People’s Gas Energy Efficiency Program for local government buildings with high gas usage and that are not able to electrify
- -
CB-1D
Enroll in a discounted Building Operator Certification for your local govt facility managers or building staff to train in energy efficiency for your municipality
Y CB-1K Continue public lighting, traffic, and streetlight replacement programs with partners like DLC
- -
CB-1E
Use a cooperative purchasing program, such as COSTARS 28, 30, or 33, to purchase energy management, consulting, or upgrades at lower prices.
- N CB-1L
Seek a Sustainable Pennsylvania Community certification to acknowledge progress toward goals
Establish a strategic energy management plan for public facilities that includes benchmarking and specific energy, water, and transportation emissions reductions targets and goals”
Y CB-1M
Consider ENERGYSTAR certification, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Net Zero Buildings, Zero Energy Codes, or Passive House standards, as higher performance basis of design for new construction and major renovation projects in public buildings
CB-1G
Commit public buildings into Green Building Alliance’s Pittsburgh 2030 District to support reductions in energy and water consumption
Objective CB 2 – Commercial/Industrial Energy Efficiency & Education
Increase the energy efficiency of commercial and industrial buildings through education and increased access to energy efficiency measures
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
CB-2A Educate the local business community about the financial benefits of building energy tracking
- CB-2E
Promote a Green Business Challenge or CEO’s for Sustainability in your community
- -
CB-2B
Publicize PennTAP commercial and manufacturing energy toolkits and assistance to businesses in the community
- - CB-2F
CONNECT and partners help to create municipal sites to link businesses
with trusted regional contractors for energy audits/retrofits/etc
-
CB-2C
Partner with industry in your community to participate in a PennTAP P2/E2 or E3 Assessment, saving energy and reducing emissions during operations
- - CB-2G
Partner with local utilities to ensure properties maximize use of energy
Provide actionable information about local, state, and federal energy efficiency funding/financing options like CPACE on municipal websites
- CB-2H
Launch a C-PACE Awareness Program in your community, with the
help of the County’s Program Administrator and SEF, that identifies and educates local capital providers, property owners, and contractors for easier development of clean energy projects located in the municipality
-
Objective CB 3 – Renewable Power
Source electricity for municipal, commercial, and industrial buildings from renewable or less carbon-intensive power options, such as solar.
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
CB-3A
Join Western Pennsylvania Energy Consortium to procure renewable power for the municipality at a cheaper rate
- CB-3F Amend development codes to encourage solar friendly site orientation and construction
- -
CB-3B
Buy local renewable energy credits, offsets, etc. to offset use of non-renewable power by the local government
- - CB-3G
Create a local incentive, such as tax deductions or rebates to encourage
solar panel installation on commercial property
- -
CB-3C Enter into a power agreement with local renewable producers
- - CB-3H Install solar on municipal buildings,
like Forest Hills Borough -
CB-3D
Create a solar advisory committee/task force or hire a local solar coordinator for your community
- - CB-3I Partner with an organization to form a local business solar co-op individually or with your neighboring municipalities
- -
CB-3E
Complete a solar feasibility study of roofs in the community using student assistance and/or Triboro’s model.
For CONNECT communities, the residential sector is the most
important sector for greenhouse gas emissions reductions
opportunities. Energy consumed in residential buildings
accounts for 44% of CONNECT’s total GHG emissions, the single
largest sector when excluding large industrial process
emissions. Individual CONNECT members vary in shares
attributable to residential energy out of their community totals,
however, the majority of CONNECT members(22 municipalities)
have 50%-80% of their entire emissions totals caused by energy
use in the residential sector. An additional 7 municipalities are
above 40%. As CONNECT members outside the city are primarily
residential communities with much of the region’s aging
building stock, this is unsurprising.
The majority of CONNECT’s residential emissions are the result of
the burning of natural gas to heat homes, with over 70% of this
natural being served through People’s Gas.7 Relative “efficiency”
of our various residential communities, measured by emissions
per capita, can be seen in the figure below with darker areas
consuming more energy per person.
2018 Residential Emissions by Source
Figures: The majority of CONNECT’s residential emissions are from natural
gas use. In most individual cases, residential emissions account for over
half of all community emissions. See Appendix for Methodology.
2018 Residential Emissions Per Capita
Figure: Note that this figure only shows emissions per capita and
is NOT reflective of either total emissions or share of total
emissions attributable to the residential sector in a community. See
appendix for detailed total and share of emissions by municipality.
City of Pittsburgh value is 2013 per capita emissions due to data
availability.
CONNECT residents want to make energy
efficiency improvements and use renewable
energy, but they are unsure how…
Survey results in CONNECT communities suggest that although
a large share of residents want to make energy efficiency
improvements and use renewable energy sources, they are
unsure of how to take advantage of these opportunities. Energy
education by local government, nonprofits, and CONNECT
partners should play an important foundational role in regional
and individual climate efforts.
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 26 of 76
Improving the efficiency and impact of our residential building stock, through electrification and renewable
development, as well as targeting these improvements to specific areas, will be integral to achieving both
CONNECT’s and individual municipal climate plans long term goals. Such actions can save residents money on utility
bills and reduce the need for new infrastructure development. Renters in CONNECT communities have little control
over building improvements, necessitating either greater engagement of tenants and landlords on energy efficiency
opportunities in our communities, or other targeted guidance to these residents.
This chapter focuses on opportunities to educate the community, retrofit existing residential buildings, and ensure
that future activities in the residential sector are a large part of the region’s climate protection goals.
The following tables contain CONNECT’s objectives and potential actions for the residential sector.
Objective Benefits Reduction Potential
Goal 1: Reduce energy use in our local governments and communities
RB 1 – Reduce energy consumption in existing residential buildings and homes through education, electrification of home heating, and increased access to energy efficiency opportunities
Goal 2: Replace current energy sources with renewables
RB 2 – Encourage renewable power among residents through education on and increased access to residential energy choice and opportunities to install solar
73%
Need or would consider energy efficiency improvements
48%
Were unsure if they selected a renewable
energy supplier
53%
Would consider installing solar on
their homes
Figures: Survey data obtained in a survey of CONNECT residents and business owners in 2021.
Residents say… Providing supporting
information on programs, incentives, & tax credits
Partnering with other governments to bring energy
efficiency services to the community Would best help them
make improvements
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 27 of 76
Objective RB 1 – Residential Electrification, Energy Efficiency, and Education
Reduce energy consumption in existing residential buildings and homes through education, electrification of home heating, and increased access to energy efficiency opportunities
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
RB-1A
CONNECT and partners help to create municipal sites to link residents with trusted regional contractors for energy audits/retrofits/etc.
- RB-1G
Increase accessibility to free utility and regional weatherization programs to increase efficiency of lower income homes and promote lead safety
- Y
RB- 1B
Receive a team of capstone students through the Governor’s Office to study/implement a climate action, such as residential energy education
- RB- 1H
Target energy affordability services to EJ areas and high energy burden areas within CONNECT, especially those above the county average of 3%
Y
RB-1C
Work with partners to publish a CONNECT-wide Green Guide, based on the City’s, to educate residents on energy/sustainability actions they can take at home
Y RB-1I Help low income, high energy burden homes take advantage of energy bill assistance during winter
- Y
RB- 1D
Encourage community investment; Set up revolving loans, residential PACE, or green bank access for local energy efficiency improvements
- - RB- 1J
Procure the free residential PennTAP toolkit on behalf of residents, and encourage use to estimate potential energy savings in residential buildings
-
RB-1E Increase residential uptake of utility incentives for energy efficiency, especially electrification
- Y RB-1K Assess current enforcement of energy codes and train inspectors
- Y
RB- 1F CONNECT communities partner with the city of Pittsburgh on bundled energy services
- RB- 1L Consider “Neighborhood 2030” Districts with GBA to target residential CONNECT communities
All waste materials that are disposed of to a landfill directly contribute
to climate change through greenhouse gases emitted during
decomposition, while incineration and the hauling of waste to or from
facilities also contributes to total impacts.
As a result of global changes to the recycling market, many CONNECT
municipalities saw the removal of glass, paper, or various types of
plastic from their bins, despite the materials being listed in contracts.
Outdated ordinances, lack of public education, and lack of cohesion
surrounding municipal recycling language were found have
subsequently led to a decrease in recycling 8 , and undoubtedly an
increase in solid waste sector emissions in CONNECT communities
since 2013.
Despite municipal solid waste tonnage contributing only about 2% of
CONNECT’s total GHG emissions in 2018, building up local recycling
infrastructure was rated the single-most popular climate action in a
survey of CONNECT community residents, and should be considered
integral to the long-term sustainability of our region. CONNECT
members’ solid waste is disposed of at several local and regional
landfill locations, however, stakeholders have identified the urgent need
for a regional solution to materials management. 9 Additionally,
embodied energy within the items that we throw away might be
harnessed through reuse and recycling of materials.10
It is in CONNECT’s long-term interest to pursue a more circular
economy; reduce waste at its source, expand recycling facilities, reduce
food waste, and enable re-use of materials to lower emissions. This
chapter focuses on opportunities to reduce waste, reuse materials, and
recycle what cannot be reused.
The following tables contain CONNECT’s objectives and potential actions for materials management.
Objective Benefits Reduction Potential
Goal 3: Bolster CONNECT’s resilience through land, water, & materials management by its members
MM 1 – Reduce solid waste generation by the municipality and broader community through recycling/reuse of materials
Building up local recycling
infrastructure was rated as the
single-most popular
climate action in a survey of
CONNECT residents…
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 30 of 76
Objective MM 1 – Reduce Solid Waste
Reduce solid waste generation by the municipality and broader community through recycling/reuse of materials
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
MM-1A
Form an exploratory committee to begin the creation and engagement of a central regional materials management entity.
- MM-1H Partner with PRC to provide pop-up or permanent glass collection services in
the municipality - -
MM-1B Update and ensure standardization in municipal recycling contracts and language across CONNECT communities
- MM-1I
Remove any code barriers to, and explore options for, a community composting program that reduces yard litter and food waste sent to landfill.
- -
MM-1C
Support the creation of a regional recycling data collective with CONNECT to better understand community waste and improve municipal waste programs
- MM-1J
Build and support community gardens, urban farms, and alternative growing platforms like green rooftops in your community.
- -
MM-1D Partner with a marketing agency to run a public education campaign around recycling in CONNECT communities
- MM-1K Encourage and highlight Sustainable Restaurant Designation in your communities’ local eateries.
- -
MM-1E
Consider recycling ordinances that promote recycling in Multi-family and Commercial Buildings or reuse of building materials during construction/demolition
- - MM-1L
Use recycling and composting technical assistance programs to upgrade recycling programs, maximize material recovery, and ensure program sustainability.
- -
MM-1F
Pursue a PA DEP Section 902 Recycling Program Development and Implementation Grant to create a new recycling program in your municipality
- - MM-1M
Use a cooperative purchasing program, such as COSTARS, to procure sustainable local government materials/products at a lower price
-
MM-1G Use CONNECT’s platform to target state development of recycling infrastructure and technology in our region
- MM-1N
Join Allegheny County municipalities to pass a local ban the use of harmful materials in our communities, such as coal tar.
consensus reports that aid in adaptation & residents’ understanding of climate related water issues that affect the CONNECT Region.
stormwater planning across municipal boundaries
WW-1I
Ensure municipal eligibility for funded floodplain insurance for residents by creating floodplain maps and enrolling in CRS.
- Y WW -1R
Partner with Pennsylvania Silver Jackets FPMS Program for a local or
regional comprehensive vulnerability/cost assessment of
climate impacts
Y
Objective WW 2 – Renewable Energy
Source electricity used for water delivery and treatment systems from renewable sources
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
WW-2A
ALCOSAN joins the Western Pennsylvania Energy Consortium to source some or all of its electricity from a renewable supplier.
- WW-2C Purchase green power to offset
electricity used to treat water and wastewater
- -
WW-2B
Municipal Water Utilities in CONNECT join the Western Pennsylvania Energy Consortium to source some or all of their electricity from a renewable supplier.
- WW-2D
ALCOSAN utilizes energy recovery technologies in its operations to
reduce total energy usage from non-renewable sources used for heating
communities, the vast majority of residents travel by
single occupancy gasoline vehicle, with most
communities having pedestrian, biking, and public
transit mode shares under 10%. 12 Emissions from
municipal fleets that have not been replaced with
electric or low-carbon fuel alternatives are also
significant contributors to the community’s
emissions.
Shifting toward alternative and cleaner modes of
transportation as well as increasing multimodal
access to trails and parks, will help to lower
emissions, improve public health outcomes, and
make CONNECT communities more equitable.
Switching to electric or hybrid vehicles is one of the
primary ways a community can help reduce
transportation emissions associated with
transboundary trips in cars. As electric vehicles
become significantly cheaper and travel further13, EV’s
are expected to become more widespread in your community – necessitating CONNECT’s support of charging
infrastructure. Municipalities can remove regulatory/permitting barriers to charging infrastructure and engage in
public education to attract EV drivers to their communities. There are currently 13 public chargers in CONNECT
communities outside Pittsburgh, however, in
order to meet the statewide benchmark set in
2021 for achieving high EV use, CONNECT
communities outside Pittsburgh should
collectively look toward a goal of 80+ public
chargers by 2030. 14 The City of Pittsburgh
currently meets and exceeds that target with
157 public chargers.
2018 Transportation Emissions by Source
Local governments are key players in improving
multimodal accessibility and removing barriers
to electric vehicles…
Figures: 80% of CONNECT’s transportation emissions are from gasoline, and the
majority of emissions are attributable to vehicular travel beginning or ending in
CONNECT communities, rather than travel solely within a single community. Pass
through traffic is not included. See Appendix for Methodology.
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 36 of 76
Besides emitting greenhouse gases,
transportation fossil fuels also produce a
host of criteria air pollutants when
combusted, reducing local air quality and
affecting our health. This chapter focuses
on programs and policies to reduce
emissions from transportation in
CONNECT communities and includes
infrastructure and design-oriented
approaches as well as expansion of
alternate modes such as walking, biking, or
public transportation. See Resources & Air
Quality Vulnerabilities Section for more
information useful to municipalities.
The following tables contain CONNECT’s objectives and potential actions for transportation.
Objective Benefits Reduction Potential
Goal 4: Motivate cleaner modes of transportation by residents and in our fleets.
TR 1 – Encourage and increase accessibility to alternate modes of transportation such as walking, biking, or transit in our communities.
TR 2 – Increase electric vehicle use in municipal fleets and the broader community.
Expanding local public transportation and regional transit
was among the top ten climate actions for residents
in CONNECT…
When asked how local governments can best help them with EV’s, CONNECT residents want their municipality to:
1. Add public charging stations
2. Publicize incentives for the community
3. Upgrade its own fleet to electric
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 37 of 76
Objective TR 1 – Alternate Modes of Transportation
Encourage and increase accessibility to alternate modes of transportation such as walking, biking, or transit in our communities.
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
TR-1A
Join other CONNECT communities to implement transit oriented development and zoning in your community.
O Y TR-1H
Expansion of Port Authority routes/frequency in CONNECT communities
Y
TR-1B
Prioritize compact and Complete Streets development strategies during planning and zoning for the community
- Y TR-1I
Implement an equitable fare program through Port Authority to increase ridership among lower income areas in CONNECT communities
Y
TR-1C
Implement new bike infrastructure, paths, and lanes, targeting busy or dangerous areas that can benefit.
- Y TR-1J
Work with SPC and Transit Operators Committee to advocate for more transit funding and ped/bike infrastructure in the region.
Y
TR-1D Encourage carpool, vanpool, or bikeshare options in local government and the community.
- - TR-1K
Work with GASP and your school district to promote clean diesel idling and school bus policies in your community.
- Y
TR-1E
Help your community form a neighborhood biking and walking committee to help build community and expertise around alternate modes of transport with BikePgh’s Toolkit
- TR-1L
Pursue a ACHD Air Quality Ambassador Mini-Grant to fund air quality outreach in CONNECT communities, particularly in the Mon Valley or in high traffic density areas
Y
TR-1F
Establish a transportation baseline by creating a survey asking where residents live, work, and how they travel to track progress to 2030
- TR-1M
Pass an ordinance requiring clean construction practices by diesel equipment for certain municipal projects
Objective TR 2 – Electric Vehicles & Charging Infrastructure
Increase electric vehicle use in municipal fleets and the broader community.
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Electric Vehicles
TR-2A Work with a partner to create a CONNECT member EV info sheet to help communities navigate EV issues
N TR-2F
Use an EV incentive, such as AFIG or Level 2 EV Charging Rebate
Program, to purchase a municipal electric vehicle at a lower cost.
- -
TR-2B
CONNECT becomes a member of a consulting org like Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities on behalf of municipalities to assist with municipal EV needs, grant writing, permitting, technical support, etc.”
- TR-2G Build electric vehicle
accommodations into development requirements
- -
TR-2C
Join the voluntary Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative, to enable municipalities to procure electric vehicles and chargers at a discounted price and without bidding.
- TR-2H
Implement energy efficiency and 100% renewable energy
technologies in transit vehicles(i.e. Battery electric buses, clean diesel,
etc.)
-
TR-2D
Using a toolkit, create a list of the top ten municipal vehicles to replace with electric and then compare with an electric vehicle alternative.
- TR-2I
Conduct public education surrounding federal, state, & DLC EV
and charging grants/rebates, or hold a ride and drive event, to
increase EV use in your community.
-
TR-2E
Assess CONNECT governments current fleets, and vehicle turnover cycles for procurement opportunities
The following table contains CONNECT’s objectives and potential actions that help promote equity across sectors.
Objective EQ 1 – Equity
Advance environmental justice in CONNECT communities by ensuring equity in climate actions
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
Action Number
Action Regional CONNECT
Opportunity?
Reduces Climate Risk?
EQ-1A
Advocate for Allegheny County to be designated as part of a EJ Hub Region, or EJ Community Hub to help activate and sustain EJ activities in the region.
Y EQ-1J
Target public charging infrastructure to multi-unit
dwellings and environmental justice areas in your municipality to receive higher consideration(pg11)
for grant funding.
- -
EQ-1B
Partner with an organization like EJGP or UrbanKind and their networks to gather community context and needs, and support advocates in your community
- - EQ-1K
Implement an equitable fare program through Port Authority to increase ridership among lower
income areas in CONNECT communities
Y
EQ-1C
Explicitly incorporate PADEP’s environmental justice areas into municipal language, plans, and projects
- - EQ-1L Expansion of Port Authority
routes/frequency in CONNECT communities
Y
EQ-1D Highlight PADEP’s Environmental Justice Participation Policy in your community to encourage involvement of minority/low income populations in projects/operations that could affect the community.
- Y EQ-1M
Engage in ALCOSAN flood education for residents and
businesses, notify residents of flooding resources and any
activities impacts on stormwater
Y
EQ-1E Help low income, high energy burden homes take advantage of energy bill assistance during winter
- Y EQ-1N
Ensure municipal eligibility for funded floodplain insurance for residents by creating floodplain
maps and enrolling in CRS
- Y
EQ-1F Target energy affordability services to EJ areas and high energy burden areas within CONNECT, especially
sections discuss the top climate hazards according
to those projections. For more information about
the science behind climate change, see Appendix
II: Climate Change Science.
Note that the vulnerabilities listed here are not
exhaustive, and that many communities choose to
hire consultants, adaptation practitioners, or
Architecture and Engineering (A&E) firms to
assist them in compiling their vulnerability and
risk assessments.
While CONNECT and many individual
municipalities do not currently have the capacity
to complete a more robust climate vulnerability
assessment, the following analysis was completed
to educate municipalities and the public on local
impacts as well as inform future efforts.
CONNECT will help its communities understand
their vulnerabilities and continue to be a convener of conversations around the climate risks affecting our region.
Three major risks; water, landslides, and air quality have been identified by our stakeholders as most critical to
CONNECT communities. Resources and links helpful to municipalities are provided in the Vulnerability
Resources section to assist communities in planning for the impacts of climate change.
“Pennsylvania is getting warmer, and wetter - and municipalities
are at the front lines of the impacts.”
WATER
LANDSLIDES
AIR QUALITY
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 47 of 76
Anticipated Climate Impacts to CONNECT
Rising Temperatures
As a result of the heat-trapping
greenhouse gases emitted through
human activities, our global and local
climates are changing. Over the last
110 years, the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania has experienced a long-
term warming of more than 1.8°F, and
an increase in the number of wet
months. 16 U.S. Climate Explorer data for
the CONNECT region indicates that
average daily temperatures have been
increasing and will continue to rise
through the remainder of the Century.17
Under a high emissions scenario,
CONNECT is projected to be on average
up to 3°F warmer than it is today by 2050,
and over 6°F warmer than it was at the end
of the 20th century.18
Increased Precipitation
In the Northeast, higher annual temperatures are
projected to result in increased levels of annual
precipitation and a higher frequency of heavy rain
events.19 Winter and spring precipitation are especially
subject to these effects. If sewer overflows, polluting
runoff, and street flooding are seeming more common,
it’s because climate change has already affected our
communities. Over the last 50 years, the Northeast saw
more than a 70% increase in precipitation, and a 75%
increase in heavy rain events. 20 At this rate, data
indicates that CONNECT communities will be
experiencing at least 1 additional major rain event each
year through 2035 and increases to their total annual
and winter precipitation in the coming decades.21,22
Impacts
The warming and wetting trend is expected to continue at an accelerated rate, especially if the world continues on
its current path of greenhouse gas emission levels. By the end of the century, Aspinwall’s climate could feel more
like that of Arkansas.23 These changes in temperature and precipitation patterns are likely to have significant
impacts on water and stormwater governance, landslide risk, and air quality in the in the Pittsburgh Region. For
more information about the science behind climate change, see Appendix III: Climate Change Science.
➢ 1 additional heavy rain event each year by 2035
➢ 8% increase in avg. annual precipitation by 2050.
➢ 14% increase in winter precipitation by 2050.
Flooding in Carnegie Borough after a 2018 heavy rain event.
CONNECT Communities can expect:
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 48 of 76
Water & Stormwater
Allegheny County’s water infrastructure, a complex network of public authorities, municipalities, and private
companies already challenged with meeting regulatory requirements and mitigating water and sewer issues, will
be especially vulnerable to the impacts of precipitation.24 Aging water infrastructure, such as the combined
sewer systems and drinking water treatment facilities in many CONNECT communities, were not designed to
handle extreme precipitation events that are becoming more frequent with climate change.25
As a result, heavier precipitation is likely to cause communities in the CONNECT region to experience more
flash/surface flooding, groundwater flooding, river flooding, inundation, and soil saturation.
Water Damages
Residents are already reporting concerns about
water and stormwater now and as we look ahead.
Over 27% of surveyed CONNECT residents have
experienced flooding in their home, business, or on
their property. Many residents specifically noted
increasing severity of water impacts over the past
few years. Damages range from loss of personal
items, the need for renovations, to complete loss of
structure. According to NOAA estimates, there have
been tens of millions in storm/weather damage in
Allegheny County since 2018, with millions
occurring within CONNECT communities. 26
However, true losses are likely many times greater,
as monetary damages from flash floods, floods,
heavy rain, heavy snow, and winter storms to
personal property, infrastructure, and through
insurance are severely underreported.27 According
the DEP’s 2021 Climate Impacts Assessment,
Pennsylvania is now experiencing three times the
number of billion dollar disaster events as it did in
1980.28 Much of this spending was not covered by
federal disaster aid, so those costs were absorbed by
local, county and state agencies.29
Flooded creek in Plum Borough after storms in 2019. Closure of the 10th Street Bypass in 2018 Allegheny County flooding, May 2021
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Over a quarter of surveyed CONNECT residents have
already personally experienced flooding in or around their
home or place of business.
27%
3x
A majority of CONNECT residents are concerned about the
increasing severity and frequency of flooding and landslide
events.
Tens of millions in climate related damages since 2018.
A consistent increase in statewide disaster spending
on damage to public infrastructure since 1980. $125M extra
in 2018 alone.
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 49 of 76
Flooding can also disrupt municipalities’ emergency health and safety services by blocking roads and damaging
critical facilities. When asked their level of concern about the increasing severity of flooding and landslide
events in our region, a majority(58%) of CONNECT residents were moderately to extremely concerned.
Water Quality
CONNECT’s water quality is also impacted by climate change. Increases in extreme precipitation and
subsequent flooding will also “likely lead to more contaminated runoff from streets and farms and more failures
of Pennsylvania’s aging drinking water, stormwater, and wastewater systems”.30 Contaminated runoff and sewer
leaks or overflows can make it harder for municipal authorities to maintain regulatory requirements and pose a
public health risk to communities.31 Smaller municipal water authorities, common within CONNECT, may
struggle to fund projects or repairs without rate increases, endangering other safety and improvement projects.32
The brunt of these health hazards will fall more heavily on people who live in low-quality housing, in a
floodplain, or who can’t afford repairs in the aftermath of heavy rain or flooding.
Due to Allegheny county’s uniquely fragmented governance, any effective response to many of the conditions
resulting from surges of storm water will require collaboration with regional organizations and neighboring
communities that share the watershed.
For more information about water vulnerabilities and how to mitigate them, see the “Water/Wastewater”
section on the resources page, and Water/Wastewater actions found in this Plan.
Landslides
PADEP identified changes in landslide
frequency as a potential high risk to built
community, energy, and transportation
infrastructure, with statewide risk heavily
concentrated in the Southwestern
region.33 Due to its geology and varied
topology, Allegheny County has a long
history of landslides – often exacerbated
by heavy bouts of precipitation and high
spring temperature conditions like those
experienced in 2018.34 The secondary
effects of heavy precipitation, such as
excess stormwater drainage and
residential runoff, also contribute to the
saturation and weakening of slopes.
Major landslides in CONNECT are often not isolated to these rain events, as “a 1- to 2-year lag between severe
storms and the onset of large-scale slides is common in the area”.35
Risk across CONNECT is highly variable, with communities’ risks ranging from less than 5% to over 90% of
their total land area being considered landslide prone.36 Municipalities to the North and East of the City of
Pittsburgh are especially vulnerable. 6% of total structures and 60 “critical” facilities within CONNECT
communities are built on slopes higher than 15%, placing them at increased risk.37 Refer to Resources for a
listing and maps by municipality.
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CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 50 of 76
Although they are difficult to predict, when they do
occur, landslides can severely impact important
community systems, damaging or blocking
highways, roads, and trails. According to
PennDOT, $45 million was spent in the County in
three years on landslide damage alone. 38 An
increasing frequency of landslides, including often
unreported “backyard landslides”, can pose a
danger to the residential and business community
and place an additional strain on public works,
public safety, and emergency services workers that
respond to these events. Of CONNECT residents
surveyed, 16% have already experienced landslides
or significant erosion around their home or business, and a majority(58%) of residents are concerned about
future risk. See the resources section for risk information by municipality, the PADEP and County’s
assessments, and other useful planning resources.
Air Quality & Public Health
Allegheny County’s poor air quality, ranked
among the worst in the nation, is chiefly caused by
industrial process emissions from a concentration
of manufacturing in the region, as well as the
burning of fossil fuels for energy and vehicular
transportation. 39 Despite improvements over the
last decades, climate change threatens to undercut
the County’s progress in meeting air quality
standards - making it harder to protect human
health. Changes in weather patterns can influence
the incidence of smog, pollen, and inversion
events. 40 Increased temperatures promote smog
formation among mixtures of existing air
pollutants and may lengthen the pollen season,
exposing CONNECT communities to more health
hazards.41
$45M
in transportation damages from landslides between
2016-2018.
16%
of CONNECT residents have experienced
landslides or erosion around them.
60
critical facilities in CONNECT at high landslide
risk.
58%
of CONNECT residents moderately to
extremely concerned of increasing risk.
Figures: Transportation damage from DOT data, DEP Climate Impacts Assessment. Count and definition of “critical facilities” by municipality
from Allegheny County’s 2020 Hazard Mitigation Plan. Survey data obtained in a survey of CONNECT residents and business owners in 2021.
Major collapse of
Route 30 in East
Liberty, 2018.
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CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 51 of 76
Some of Allegheny County's highest temperatures on record in 2017-2019 led to direct spikes in particle
pollution and the number of high ozone days.42 Through 2035, CONNECT can expect three more heat waves
each year, and by 2050, extreme heat days may be up to 3.7 degrees hotter.43
Within CONNECT, proximity to large industrial process emitters and major transportation routes causes certain
municipalities to be especially vulnerable to the adverse health effects from climate change. However, many air
pollutants can maintain significant concentration in the air even miles from a source, impacting other
communities.44 The maps below show relative risk, measured by concentration of two major air pollutants.
Although risk varies within CONNECT, every CONNECT government’s annual concentrations of DPM and
many community’s concentrations of PM2.5 exceed the county and national averages.45 As the climate changes
and temperatures rise, residents of these communities may see a higher frequency of health effects among
sensitive groups, including cardiovascular and respiratory hospitalizations, and premature death.46
Certain populations such as those near factories or in areas with low greenspace, children, pregnant women, the
elderly, those with chronic diseases, and people experiencing poverty will be particularly vulnerable to the
effects of air pollution and heat.47 Alarmingly, 27% of CONNECT residents reported that they or someone in
their household have asthma or another respiratory condition. Additionally, the proportion of the County’s
population age 65 and over is expected to increase in until 2030, especially in municipalities surrounding
Pittsburgh48 CONNECT’s residents are overwhelmingly concerned about our region’s poor air quality, the
highest level of concern(75%) out of all three identified climate vulnerabilities. For more air quality
information useful to municipalities, see the Resources section.
27% of surveyed CONNECT residents have reported they or
someone in their household or business has asthma or
another respiratory condition.
Almost 75% of CONNECT residents are moderately or
extremely concerned about our region’s poor air quality.
Diesel Particulate Matter PM2.5
Figures: Air quality data, DPM and PM2.5, came from 2014 National Air Toxics Assessment estimates. DPM values(ug/m3) were compiled at the census tract level and aggregated to
municipality, values were determined as an average of the census tracts that made up a given area. PM2.5 ranking was assigned by Allegheny County Environmental Justice Index 2019.
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 52 of 76
Vulnerability Resources for Municipalities
In addition to the CONNECT Vulnerability Assessment, the following resources can help CONNECT communities self-
identify, detail, and illustrate any hazards and vulnerabilities related to climate change individual to their
communities. Also included are links to organizations and tools that are useful in addressing these vulnerabilities
and adapting to the expected impacts of climate change. Refer to climate adaptation/land use section of this Plan
for potential adaptation related CONNECT actions.
Update your Local Hazard Mitigation/Emergency Management Plan
Section 322 of the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (DMA 2000) requires state and local governments to develop and
submit a Plan for identifying their respective natural hazards, risks, and vulnerabilities. An approved Hazard
Mitigation Plan is also a prerequisite to receiving post-disaster and pre-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
funds. There is significant overlap between hazard mitigation and climate adaptation. It is critical that communities
begin to explicitly integrate the current and future risks of climate change into their Local Hazard
Mitigation/Emergency Management Plans. Assessing how current water, landslide, or air quality vulnerabilities may
be exacerbated by climate change is an important step in protecting the community from the financial and human
strain of hazards.
For General Climate Impacts: • Allegheny County Hazard Mitigation Plan 2020 includes assessments of a number of vulnerabilities,
including climate vulnerabilities, with some data broken down by municipality. A great resource for
integrating climate risks into your Municipal Hazard Mitigation Plan/Emergency Management Plan.
• Pennsylvania Climate Impacts Assessment 2021 Update includes projections for the whole
commonwealth, and breaks down some information by region. Water, Landslide, and Air Quality
information is detailed within.
• U.S. Climate Explorer provides locationally specific projections for temperature and precipitation in the
form of exportable charts like those seen in CONNECT’s assessment.
• Temperate is a license-based software that identifies top hazards for your community based on the
National Climate Assessment, and allows you to view, customize, and download projection charts like
those seen in CONNECT’s assessment. A Temperate license also includes features to help your community
do a comprehensive vulnerability assessment and build an adaptation strategy.
For Water & Stormwater: • See how your municipality can leverage its Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds
established by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) for climate related projects. View article by National
League of Cities, or a presentation by Gateway Engineers here.
• Three Rivers Wet Weather – provides technical guidance and resources to assist municipalities with
regulatory compliance, convenes forums to encourage a consensus-based approach for feasible and
affordable wet weather planning, educates the public and advocates inter-municipal partnerships which
Figure: Observations and other indicators of a changing global climate system
The Fifth Assessment also asserts that “it is extremely likely that more than half of the observed increase in
global average surface temperature from 1951 to 2010 was caused by the anthropogenic increase in GHG
concentrations and other anthropogenic forcings together. Globally, economic and population growth
continued to be the most important drivers of increases in CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion. Changes
in many extreme weather and climate events have been observed since about 1950. Some of these changes
have been linked to human influences, including a decrease in cold temperature extremes, an increase in warm
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 64 of 76
temperature extremes, an increase in extreme high sea levels and an increase in the number of heavy
precipitation events in a number of regions”57.
In short, the Earth is already responding to climate change drivers introduced by mankind.
Temperatures and Extreme Events are Increasing Globally
Figure: Change in average surface temperature (a) and change in average precipitation (b) based on multi-model mean projections for 2081–2100 relative to 1986–2005 under the RCP2.6 (left) and RCP8.5 (right) scenarios.
Surface temperature is projected to rise over the 21st century under all assessed emission scenarios. It is very
likely that heat waves will occur more often and last longer, and that extreme precipitation events will become
more intense and frequent in many regions. The ocean will continue to warm and acidify, and global mean sea
level to rise. Changes in many extreme weather and climate events have been observed since about 1950.
Some of these changes have been linked to human influences, including a decrease in cold temperature
extremes, an increase in warm temperature extremes, an increase in extreme high sea levels and an increase
in the number of heavy precipitation events in a number of regions.58
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 65 of 76
Climate Risks
Climate change is projected to undermine food security. Due to projected climate change by the mid-21st
century and beyond, global marine species redistribution and marine biodiversity reduction in sensitive regions
will challenge the sustained provision of fisheries productivity and other ecosystem services. For wheat, rice
and maize in tropical and temperate regions, climate change without adaptation is projected to negatively
impact production for local temperature increases of 2°C or more above late 20th century levels, although
individual locations may benefit. Global temperature increases of ~4°C or more above late 20th century levels,
combined with increasing food demand, would pose large risks to food security globally. Climate change is
projected to reduce renewable surface water and groundwater resources in most dry subtropical region,
intensifying competition for water among sectors.
Until mid-century, projected climate change will impact human health mainly by exacerbating health problems
that already exist. Throughout the 21st century, climate change is expected to lead to increases in ill-health in
many regions and especially in developing countries with low income, as compared to a baseline without
climate change. Health impacts include greater likelihood of injury and death due to more intense heat waves
and fires, increased risks from foodborne and waterborne diseases and loss of work capacity and reduced labor
productivity in vulnerable populations. Risks of undernutrition in poor regions will increase. Risks from vector-
borne diseases are projected to generally increase with warming, due to the extension of the infection area
and season, despite reductions in some areas that become too hot for disease vectors.
In urban areas climate change is projected to increase risks for people, assets, economies and ecosystems,
including risks from heat stress, storms and extreme precipitation, inland and coastal flooding, landslides, air
pollution, drought, water scarcity, sea level rise and storm surges. These risks are amplified for those lacking
essential infrastructure and services or living in exposed areas. Rural areas are expected to experience major
impacts on water availability and supply, food security, infrastructure and agricultural incomes, including shifts
in the production areas of food and non-food crops around the world.
Climate change is projected to increase displacement of people. Populations that lack the resources for
planned migration experience higher exposure to extreme weather events, particularly in developing countries
with low income. Climate change can indirectly increase risks of violent conflicts by amplifying well-
documented drivers of these conflicts such as poverty and economic shocks. 59
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 66 of 76
Greenhouse Gas Emissions Must be Reduced
Figure: The relationship between risks from climate change, temperature change, cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and changes in annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.
Limiting risks across Reasons For Concern (a) would imply a limit for cumulative emissions of CO2 (b) which
would constrain annual GHG emissions over the next few decades (c). Panel A reproduces the five Reasons For
Concern. Panel b links temperature changes to cumulative CO2 emissions (in GtCO2) from 1870. They are
based on Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5 simulations (pink plume) and on a simple climate
model (median climate response in 2100), for the baselines and five mitigation scenario categories (six
ellipses). Panel C shows the relationship between the cumulative CO2 emissions (in GtCO2) of the scenario
categories and their associated change in annual GHG emissions by 2050, expressed in percentage change (in
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 67 of 76
percent GtCO2-eq per year) relative to 2010. The ellipses correspond to the same scenario categories as in
Panel B, and are built with a similar method.60
The recent and massive buildup of greenhouse gases in our atmosphere is conceivably even more
extraordinary than changes observed thus far regarding temperature, sea level, and snow cover in the
Northern hemisphere in that current levels greatly exceed recorded precedent going back much further than
the modern temperature record.
Anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions have increased since the pre-industrial era driven largely by
economic and population growth. From 2000 to 2010 emissions were the highest in history. Historical
emissions have driven atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide to levels that
are unprecedented in at least the last 800,000 years, leading to an uptake of energy by the climate system.61
In response to the problem of climate change, many communities in the United States are taking responsibility
for addressing emissions at the local level. Since many of the major sources of greenhouse gas emissions are
directly or indirectly controlled through local policies, local governments have a strong role to play in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions within their boundaries. Through proactive measures around land use patterns,
transportation demand management, energy efficiency, green building, and waste diversion, local
governments can dramatically reduce emissions in their communities. In addition, local governments are
primarily responsible for the provision of emergency services and the mitigation of natural disaster impacts.
While this Plan is designed to reduce overall emissions levels, as the effects of climate change become more
common and severe, local government adaptation policies will be fundamental in preserving the welfare of
residents and businesses.
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 68 of 76
Appendix III: Supplementary Data CONNECT Communities Emissions Summaries(tons CO2e):
CONNECT Community Summaries
Residential
Energy
Residential
Energy Total
Residential
Energy Total
Residential
Energy Total
Commercial
Energy
Commercial
Energy Total
Commercial
Energy Total
Commercial
Energy Total
Municipality Population 2018 Electricity Natural Gas % per capita Electricity Natural Gas % per capita
Example CONNECT Community Info Sheet: Reach out to [email protected] to receive your community’s indivual data sheet to distribute to residents/council.
CONNECT Region GHG Emissions Inventory(Including Large Industrial Emitters)
For reference, the following figure breaks down the first region-wide emissions inventory for CONNECT, with
emissions from large industrial process emitters from a few communities included in the totals. Because local
government has relatively little control over point source emissions from an industrial source, these emissions
were not included in CONNECT’s official inventory. Note that emissions from each municipality are embedded within
the region-wide totals. Emissions from strictly local government operations are also embedded within each sector.
Individual community emissions can be seen in the chart to the right.
Municipality
Total
Emissions
Clairton 996,660
West Mifflin 985,809
Ross 284,348
Mt. Lebanon 265,607
Collier 233,390
Shaler 199,376
Wilkinsburg 116,108
Jefferson Hills 115,126
Munhall 98,904
Green Tree 85,361
Brentwood 63,575
Bellevue 61,605
Castle Shannon 59,961
Carnegie 59,040
Dormont 58,717
Wilkins 58,511
Swissvale 58,486
Fox Chapel 56,428
Forest Hills 51,202
McKees Rocks 50,770
Homestead 46,939
West View 44,093
Crafton 43,417
Duquesne 41,398
West Homestead 35,432
Etna 31,433
Churchill 28,861
Millvale 28,588
Edgewood 28,216
Sharpsburg 25,037
Ingram 20,070
Aspinwall 19,386
Reserve 18,336
Baldwin Township 12,883
Heidelberg 9,042
When including industrial process
emissions, CONNECT Members emitted:
4,372,026 tons CO2e
Mainly from industrial point sources, and energy use in
the Residential sector.
Sector
Total
Emissions
(tons CO2e)
Process & Fugitive 1,428,000
Residential Energy 1,299,728
Commercial Energy 645,847
Industrial Energy 568,244
Transportation & Mobile Sources
314,443
Solid Waste 72,996
Water &
Wastewater42,768
+1.4M tons
CO2e
Figures: Total GHG inventory compiled using 2018 data requested from utilities, haulers, and other service providers that serve each CONNECT community. Emissions
output associated with the raw usage data for each community and sector was calculated using ICLEI’s ClearPath Tool. *Note that a comparison to the City of
Pittsburgh is using their most recent available inventory year, 2013. Additionally, some accounting methodologies may differ, affecting any comparison.
This amount is equal to
over 90% of what Pittsburgh emits in a year*.
CONNECT Climate Action Plan Page 73 of 76
CONNECT Regional Climate Survey Results (Distributed June – July 2021)
Access the live results here: https://ql.tc/dC4Wim
For results specific to a community or for distribution materials for your community, reach out to [email protected].
To take the survey, use this link, visit connect.pitt.edu, or scan the QR code below.
Note that the following will be updated, pending further development of the Plan.
1 Raabe, E., Ramage, M. (2020). Etna Borough Climate Action Plan. ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. America, PENNSYLVANIA.
2. Emissions per capita calculated using CONNECT municipal population estimates in 2018 from ACS. Total emissions in 2018 were 2,975,810 tons CO2e as calculated in ClearPath. Recommendation calculation uses Nature Conservancy’s carbon footprint tool, IPCC recommendation from Global Warming of 1.5 ºC — (ipcc.ch)
3 Assumes ICLEI’s default CAFE Standards apply through the planning period. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WwVVIpNBxY8vkbN1zVqv5J2JOtYld4CV/view
4 Raabe, E., Ramage, M. (2020). Etna Borough Climate Action Plan. ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability. America, PENNSYLVANIA.
5 August Executive Committee Meeting (CONNECT) in discussion with the participants, 20 August 2020.
6 Ibid
7 See CONNECT’s Master Data Workbook, request from [email protected]
11 Refer to Methodology page. CONNECT’s official inventory does not include “pass through” traffic as local governments have little control over this source, as recommended by ICLEI and the Origin Destination Model. Only trips that either begin or end in the community are counted. In reality, pass through traffic greatly contributes to transportation emissions, and its effects, in a community. If your community would like to include pass through traffic in their inventory, contact us at [email protected].
12 See your community’s mode share here. CONNECT’s average mode share determined by ridership of a sample of individual communities with ACS census data.
14 CONNECT communities’ and Pittsburgh’s current charging infrastructure is determined by using this tool. CONNECT population in 2018 is 293,748 people. The statewide benchmark set in 2021 by the Pennsylvania Electric Vehicles Roadmap(pg. 20) looks to reach 257 public chargers per 1 million people in order to promote high EV use in the state.
16 Shortle, James, David Abler, Seth Blumsack, Aliana Britson, Kuai Fang, Armen Kemanian, Paul Knight, Marc McDill, Raymond Najjar, Michael Nassry, Richard Ready, Andrew Ross, Matthew Rydzik, Chaopeng Shen, Shilong Wang, Denice Wardrop, Susan Yetter. 2015. Pennsylvania Climate
Impacts Assessment Update. Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved from Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection: http://www.depgreenport.state.pa.us/elibrary/GetDocument?docId=5002&DocName=2015%20PENNSYLVANIA%20CLIMATE%20IMPACTS%20ASSESSMENT%20UPDATE.PDF%20
17 U.S. Federal Government, 2020: U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Climate Explorer. https://crt-climate-explorer.nemac.org/faq/?county=Allegheny%20County&city=Pittsburgh%2C%20PA&fips=42003&lat=40.44&lon=-80&zoom=7&id=tmax&nav=local-climate-charts#
34 Pennsylvania DCNR. November 2020. Department staff expertise.
35 https://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1229/report.pdf
36 GIS analysis of Landslide Mapping Tool by municipality, Allegheny County Landslide Portal. https://landslide-portal-alcogis.opendata.arcgis.com/pages/map-tools
37 Analysis of Data from pgs. 161-165. Analysis is for current CONNECT members as of 2020. https://www.pennsylvaniahmp.com/allegheny-hmp
38http://www.depgreenport.state.pa.us/elibrary/GetDocument?docId=3667348&DocName=PENNSYLVANIA%20CLIMATE%20IMPACTS%20ASSESSMENT%202021.PDF%20%20%3cspan%20style%3D%22color:green%3b%22%3e%3c/span%3e%20%3cspan%20style%3D%22color:blue%3b%22%3e%28NEW%29%3c/span%3e%204/30/2023 AND https://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2018/11/02/pittsburgh-landslide-repair-costs-penndot/
41 Michael J. Allen, “A Temporal Analysis of Seasonal Start Dates Across 25 Urban Environments in the Eastern United States,” Physical Geography 39, no. 4 (2018): 291–303, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/02723646.2018.1441215. Climate Central, “Pollen Problems: Climate Change, the Growing Season, and America’s Allergies,” March 27, 2019, www.climatecentral.org/news/report-pollen-allergies-climate-change. Lewis H. Ziska et al., “Temperature-Related Changes in Airborne Allergenic Pollen Abundance and Seasonality Across the Northern Hemisphere: A Retrospective Data Analysis,” The Lancet Planetary Health 3, no. 3 (March 2019): e124–131, https://doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(19)30015-4.
54 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2014). Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerabilities: Summary for Policymakers. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
55 IPCC. (2014). Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report. Contribution of Working Groups I, II, and III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the IPCC [Core Writing Team, R.K. Pachauri, and L.A. Meyer (eds.)]. Geneva, Switzerland.
IPCC. (2014). Summary for Policymakers. In: Climate Change 2014: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [Solomon, S., D. Qin, M. Manning, Z. Chen, M. Marquis, K.B. Av. Cambridge, U.K. and New York, NY, USA.: Cambridge University Press.
56 Ibid
57 Ibid
58 Ibid
59 Ibid
60 Ibid
61 Ibid
62 Bureau, U. (2020, May 21). City and Town Population Totals: 2010-2019. Retrieved December 06, 2020, from https://www.census.gov/data/datasets/time-series/demo/popest/2010s-total-cities-and-towns.html